U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (foreground) with University President Harris Pastides (left) and David Ogden, deputy attorney general of the United States.

Continued: DOJ

“This agreement is the winning combination for both the Department of Justice and the University of South Carolina,” he said. “It is a wise collaboration that will save the taxpayers money and benefit the university in the years to come. I wish we saw more visionary collaborations like this one between the federal government and outside institutions.”

Once construction of the Darla Moore School of Business building is complete, the Close-Hipp Building will be renovated for its new occupants. In the interim, DOJ may move a small number of personnel on an as-needed basis to staff operations in Columbia, said Marshall Jarrett, director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys.

Jarrett said the agreement represents a significant savings for the DOJ because of lower costs in the Midlands.

In addition to leasing the Close-Hipp Building, the DOJ is expected to lease approximately 365 parking spaces from the university. DOJ staff housed at 1600 Hampton St., several blocks away from the NAC, also will move to the Close-Hipp Building.